Speaking at a press briefing on Saturday in Gozo, Minister for Health Chris Fearne said that over the past 24-hours, there had been 10 new cases registered.

Dr Fearne went on to warn against complacency even if the numbers were once again low.

This number was confirmed by Health Chief Prof Charmaine Gauci in her daily update. She explained that of the 10 new cases, 6 were travel related and 4 were from local transmission. This brings the total number of registered cases to 149.

Prof Gauci said that 1 of the new cases, a 72-year old man, is in critical condition after developing pneumonia and has been intubated. There are 2 others in ITU, both stable – a 61-year old man and 60-year old woman.

She advised in two of the latest cases, patients had lost the sense of smell and taste prior to other symptoms developing.

Prof Gauci once again appealed for the elderly and vulnerable persons to stay inside for the good of their own health.

The Health Minister, who is in Gozo to discuss the Covid-19 preparations on the island, explained that, following a request to Steward Malta by the Government, the Gozo hospital will have 123 beds available for patients with the virus, as well as 20 intensive care beds, 13 for the use of patients with Covid-19.

Dr Fearne mentioned that for the first time, Gozo will have a bulk oxygen cylinder which will serve ventilators, among others

Barts has also offered the medical school, he said, which is to be used solely by immuno-compromised patients, whilst Steward Healthcare has 2 helicopters that can carry patients to Malta on orders from the authorities.

Speaking at the briefing, Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri stressed that the identified case on Gozo of Covid-19 had been isolated one, and it appeared that so far there had been no spread of the virus.

He went on to say that a Victoria sports complex was now turned into a second base for the Civil Protection.

Minister Camilleri reiterated that protocols are in place for any patient that tests positive for the virus to be transferred from Gozo to Malta on a specially charted boat.

Elderly residents in the Santa Anna wing of the Gozo General Hospital are being moved to a building close to the hospital, thereby creating 80 beds at the hospital.

The Minister for Gozo once again stressed for the public to avoid non-essential travel to Gozo, reiterating that now is not the time for weekend breaks.

The decision made on treatment of a patients in Malta or Gozo, is a medical one, said Nadine Delicata, Chief Operating Officer of Steward. She added that it is made by doctors on the case.

Dr Delicata added that no patient so far, has tested positive in Gozo.

Permalink: 10 new Covid-19 cases, Health Minister in Gozo to see preparations